Satoru Nakajima

Satoru Nakajima

In 2008, as the chairman of Formula Nippon
Born	(1953-02-23) 23 February 1953 (age 63) Okazaki, Japan
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality	Japanese
Active years	1987 - 1991
Teams	Lotus, Tyrrell
Entries	80 (74 starts)
Championships	0
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Career points	16
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	1
First entry	1987 Brazilian Grand Prix
Last entry	1991 Australian Grand Prix

Satoru Nakajima (中嶋 悟, Nakajima Satoru^?, born February 23, 1953) is a former racing driver from Japan. Nakajima, who was known as one of the nicest and most personable drivers in Formula One in a sport where large egos are normal, was affectionately known as "Nakajap" to members of the F1 paddock and those in the press.

Nakajima was born into a farming family living just outside Okazaki, Japan. He began driving cars in his early teens in the family's garden with his older brother giving him tips, careful that their father didn't catch them. He felt exhilaration behind the wheel of a car, and from then on knew what he wanted to do.

He started racing after he finished school and passed his driver's licence. In 1973 he was a rookie in the Suzuka Circuit series, which he won. Five years later, he won his first race in Japanese Formula Two. In 1981 he won his first championship, thus beginning a period of domination in the series. He won five of the next six championships, all of them equipped with a Honda V6 engine.

Nakajima participated in 80 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting in the Brazilian Grand Prix on 12 April 1987, bringing Honda engines to the Lotus team. He was 34 years old in his debut race, making him one of Formula One's oldest debutants of the modern era. He finished sixth, and so scored a point, in only his second race, the 1987 San Marino Grand Prix. During his debut season, Nakajima was outclassed by his team mate Ayrton Senna, and many questioned Nakajima's place in F1, stating that if not for Honda he would not have been there on merit.